pkstylez
New member
What do you recommend for a 24in deep 48in wide tank. It also has a hood so trying to make it slide in there to replace the t5 system instead of a clip on from back.
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Novices need LED lighting questions answered.
- Thread starter Sk8r
- Start date
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Ron Reefman
Active member
Two questions:
1) Do you have a budget in mind?
2) What features do you want to pay for?
There are a handful of low cost fixtures that can work. From the very basic two channel dimable units like the Mars Aqua, to units that have built-in timers like Viparspectra, Reef Breeders Superlux and Ocean Revive T247B, to units that have the ability to do sunrise sunset like Euphotica, to units that have multiple channels (more than 2) for color control like Reef Breeders, Aqua Illumination, Maxspect, Eco Tech. Some have wifi, some can be driven by an Apex system, some have computer link able software.
It's no secret that my option is the Reef Breeders Photon V2. You need a good size budget (just under $600 for a 32" or 48" fixture ), but for all the features and looks it offers, it's the least expensive in it's class and is well made with Cree and OSRAM leds, slim aluminum case and can hang or use legs. But that's my choice. Nobody NEEDS multiple channels of color control, or sunrise, sunset control, or even built-in timers. The basic Mars Aqua makes virtually the same light with two 16" fixtures for under $200.
The differences in the actual light that most aquarium fixtures produce with 3w and 5w leds is so similar that there isn't enough difference to matter to the coral. They all grow coral, cost is driven more by features, size and looks (and profit margin in the case of really expensive fixtures).
1) Do you have a budget in mind?
2) What features do you want to pay for?
There are a handful of low cost fixtures that can work. From the very basic two channel dimable units like the Mars Aqua, to units that have built-in timers like Viparspectra, Reef Breeders Superlux and Ocean Revive T247B, to units that have the ability to do sunrise sunset like Euphotica, to units that have multiple channels (more than 2) for color control like Reef Breeders, Aqua Illumination, Maxspect, Eco Tech. Some have wifi, some can be driven by an Apex system, some have computer link able software.
It's no secret that my option is the Reef Breeders Photon V2. You need a good size budget (just under $600 for a 32" or 48" fixture ), but for all the features and looks it offers, it's the least expensive in it's class and is well made with Cree and OSRAM leds, slim aluminum case and can hang or use legs. But that's my choice. Nobody NEEDS multiple channels of color control, or sunrise, sunset control, or even built-in timers. The basic Mars Aqua makes virtually the same light with two 16" fixtures for under $200.
The differences in the actual light that most aquarium fixtures produce with 3w and 5w leds is so similar that there isn't enough difference to matter to the coral. They all grow coral, cost is driven more by features, size and looks (and profit margin in the case of really expensive fixtures).
pkstylez
New member
https://www.marineandreef.com/Aqueon_OptiBright_Plus_LED_Fixture_48_54_inches_p/res15722.htm
Is this an affordable.option for a reef tank that is 24 inches deep?
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Ron Reefman
Active member
Absolutely NOT!!!
First, in their own info they state that the PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation) is only 18 at 12" deep in the tank, like that is a good number. They are banking on you not knowing what that really means. You really want the PAR to be at least 50 at 24" deep and it would be even better if it was 100 at 24" deep. A PAR of 18 really is not enough for any coral and that's only 12" deep. I wouldn't use this fixture over a 12" deep tank with coral. It's a fish only fixture.
Second, they say it has 76 leds but the NEVER offer info about how many watts the leds are (you want 3 watt leds run at about 2 watts minimum). And they never tell you how many watts the entire fixture uses. My best guess is it's probably about 24 to 36 watts and the individual leds are running at 0.3 to 0.5 watts each. That's not nearly enough.
If any fixture doesn't give you wattage for the individual leds or the total wattage for the fixture and the number of leds so you can calculate it yourself, don't even consider it as being worth looking at.
pkstylez
New member
Ron Reefman
Active member
Always happy to try and help with light issues.
Tastee
Member
I have a 6 month old Red Sea Reefer 250 that I am stocking up as a mixed reef tank with fish. Soft coral dominant, but do want some SPS and/or LPS in the future. I am a long term freshwater fish keeper (40 years) but new to the saltwater hobby so are sticking to the beginner options. Currently have a couple of leathers, a torch and and some zoanthids.
My light is a Maxspect Razr 420R with the marine clusters. I am currently running a cycle maxing at 50%. I don’t currently have anything to measure PAR however. The tank is 18” (45 cm) deep.
1. 07:00 A 0%, B 1%
2. 09:00 A 15%, B 30%
3. 12:00 A 50%, B 50%
4. 18:00 A 50%, B 50%
5. 20:00 A 30%, B 40%
6. 22:00 A 0%, B 1%
Does anyone have any experience with this light in a tank of this depth?
Any suggestions as to the light cycle and max %age I should aim for?
Currently the corals are going reasonably well. The Sinularia and the brain coral are very happy, the torch seems ok, but one set of Zooanthids died, and some of the second set also died. The others seem ok for now. The zooanthids were placed lower than the other corals.
Tank picture here: https://sites.google.com/site/bradtateau/pictures/tank1.jpg
Thanks!
My light is a Maxspect Razr 420R with the marine clusters. I am currently running a cycle maxing at 50%. I don’t currently have anything to measure PAR however. The tank is 18” (45 cm) deep.
1. 07:00 A 0%, B 1%
2. 09:00 A 15%, B 30%
3. 12:00 A 50%, B 50%
4. 18:00 A 50%, B 50%
5. 20:00 A 30%, B 40%
6. 22:00 A 0%, B 1%
Does anyone have any experience with this light in a tank of this depth?
Any suggestions as to the light cycle and max %age I should aim for?
Currently the corals are going reasonably well. The Sinularia and the brain coral are very happy, the torch seems ok, but one set of Zooanthids died, and some of the second set also died. The others seem ok for now. The zooanthids were placed lower than the other corals.
Tank picture here: https://sites.google.com/site/bradtateau/pictures/tank1.jpg
Thanks!
zeeGGee
New member
Ron Reefman
Active member
zeeGGee, and your point is what? That a PAR of 20 at 24" deep isn't enough to grow sps coral, right?
Jloebenberg
New member
Leave blues in all night?
Leave blues in all night?
Howdy I'm running two fluval marine and reef led 2.0 on my 40 gallon tank (36 w, 24ish deep) These are Dom able and have a night/moon feature. I've jut introduced some sps frags to the tank (3 different lords, a micromussa and a frog spawn). Quick question among many others, do you leave your blues on all night or do you eventually dim them to complete darkness? Thanks in advance.
JL
Leave blues in all night?
Howdy I'm running two fluval marine and reef led 2.0 on my 40 gallon tank (36 w, 24ish deep) These are Dom able and have a night/moon feature. I've jut introduced some sps frags to the tank (3 different lords, a micromussa and a frog spawn). Quick question among many others, do you leave your blues on all night or do you eventually dim them to complete darkness? Thanks in advance.
JL
Ron Reefman
Active member
JL, it doesn't make a lot of difference one way or the other (as long as the blues are dim overnight). The zooxanthellae (algae) inside your coral uses blue spectrum to do photosynthesis which helps feed the coral. It needs bright light for 6 to 9 hours as a minimum. But being bright 24/7 isn't good. The zooxanthellae need down time just like almost everything. But very dim blue moonlighting is OK.
Hope that helps.
Fietsenrex
New member
I've been somewhat crippled by the sheer amount of LED fixture's out there so I do need some help..
yes I'm Dutch and have some shipping limitations regarding American based company's who don't ship international.
I'm planning on a 100gal reefer (35"x27"27") but it needs something to light it..
this is my first salt water aquarium and therefore I do not plan on starting with SPS corals or other expensive or demanding corals.
but I want my fixture to be able to grow more demanding corals if I want to.
the tank will be one with a closed canopy mainly to prevent light pollution in my living room.
I came across this but it doesn't state PAR data..
I was planning on eheim powerled+ leds but they also don't state PAR data..
AI hydra52HD or hydra26HD aren't the best of choice since I want a closed canopy, same goes for the Philips coralcare and kessil lights.
so really looking for something like a LED bar solution to get a somewhat better spread.
can someone help me out? trying to keep the budget at €600-€800 maximum..
yes I'm Dutch and have some shipping limitations regarding American based company's who don't ship international.
I'm planning on a 100gal reefer (35"x27"27") but it needs something to light it..
this is my first salt water aquarium and therefore I do not plan on starting with SPS corals or other expensive or demanding corals.
but I want my fixture to be able to grow more demanding corals if I want to.
the tank will be one with a closed canopy mainly to prevent light pollution in my living room.
I came across this but it doesn't state PAR data..
I was planning on eheim powerled+ leds but they also don't state PAR data..
AI hydra52HD or hydra26HD aren't the best of choice since I want a closed canopy, same goes for the Philips coralcare and kessil lights.
so really looking for something like a LED bar solution to get a somewhat better spread.
can someone help me out? trying to keep the budget at €600-€800 maximum..
tatmanfish
Member
I'm finally going to make the move to LED for my new tank, but have a couple things I need help with.
My tank is a aquavim 105g corner making it tough to figure out an exact fixture or fixtures to cover the tank with little shadows. Don't mind shimmer at all as I have ran MH.
The tank is a 32" quarter cylinder with the longest distance between corners hitting 45" and a depth of 30".
It will be an sps dominate tank and I will be using the Neptune Apex so compatible fixtures are a plus. Price for fixture/s isn't too big of an issue, but the south side of $1000 is ideal.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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My tank is a aquavim 105g corner making it tough to figure out an exact fixture or fixtures to cover the tank with little shadows. Don't mind shimmer at all as I have ran MH.
The tank is a 32" quarter cylinder with the longest distance between corners hitting 45" and a depth of 30".
It will be an sps dominate tank and I will be using the Neptune Apex so compatible fixtures are a plus. Price for fixture/s isn't too big of an issue, but the south side of $1000 is ideal.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Ron Reefman
Active member
Are you planing on using those two fixtures together? If so, how will you place them?
The Kessil is much more powerful than the Orbit (which is only good for fish only or shallow reefs under 18"... even better would be 12" or less).
Tough tank to get good over all coverage. Is there an overflow in the back corner? I'd be looking at a 24" fixture up each side or doing 2... maybe 3 pendants like Kessils. Good luck.
Pedal Damnit
New member
I'm new to LED, so I need to ask:
How much heat are these LED lamps giving off? Do they run cooler than MH? I have used MH before and I had excessive heat issues. I'm interested in setting up a 24" deep tank and considering a few LED pendant lamps.
How much heat are these LED lamps giving off? Do they run cooler than MH? I have used MH before and I had excessive heat issues. I'm interested in setting up a 24" deep tank and considering a few LED pendant lamps.
tatmanfish
Member
I was hoping to get away with a single kessil ap700 given the reviews and videos I've seen. I do have a corner overflow system as well so that eats up a few inches of the depth.
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